Fire-place grate



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F. W. MERRIAM.

FIRE PLACE GR'ATE. No. 392,817. Patented Nov. 13, 1888.

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P. W. MERRIAM.

FIRE PLACE GRATE.

No. 392,817. Patented Nov. 13, 1888.

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F. W. MERRIAM.

FIRE PLACE GRATE.

No. 392,817. Patented Nov. 13, 1888.

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FREDERICK W. MERRIAM, OF NORTH ADAMS, MASSACHUSETTS.

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SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 392,817, dated November 13, 1888.

Application filed March 7, 1887. Serial No. $129,082. (N0 model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FREDERICK W. MER- RIAM, of North Adams, in the county of Berkshire and State ofMassachusetts, haveinvented a new and useful Improvement in Fire-Place Grates, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification.

My present invention relates more particularly to certain novel and useful improvements in fire-place grates, whereby by the action of the shaking device the ashes and smaller particles are efficiently eliminated from the coal, and at the same time the clinkers and dross from the fuel are drawn toward the central portion of the grate in such a manner that it is crushed and falls into the ash-pan. Moreover, the construction ofmy grate is such that the act of shaking automatically brings-the coal in the grate from the outer extremities toward the central portion, thus obtaining a better combustion. These features already named and others to be hereinafter mentioned are combined with a further novel improvement in the dumping of the grate and grate-basket.

Likeletters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the drawings.

Figure 1 is a front elevation representing thefront and position of the grate and attachments in the frame. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the grate and frame with the ends and back linings. Fig.3isacross-section upon the line a: as, Fig. 2, and end elevation. Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the grate on the lines y y, Fig. 2, extending from the hub a to the central pivot, b, and from thence to the opposite hub a, including an elevation of the back lining and parts of the side linings.

A is the grate proper, and is adapted to revolve around the hub O, to which it is attached by the pin or pivot b. The upper side of this grate A is preferably made dishing-that is, beveling toward the hub (J-as shown in Fig. 3, and is supported underneath each side by the ears 0 0, one on each side. The hub O is formed with projecting points, as represented in Figs. 2 and 3,which resemble the form of the The position of the points of this hub in relation to the inner portion of the grate A is shown clearly in Fig. 4. B is the basket or basketgrate, which is also made in a measure circular, and which is also preferably formed beveling or sloping inward from the toptoward its connection with the outer parts of the grate A, as shown in Fig. 3. It will be seen by referring to Fig. 2 that the basket surrounds the grate A, and that the hub O is integral therewith. Upon each side of the basketframe B are formed the trunnions a a, journaled in the inside of the frame or side linings. The ears 0 c are also integral with basket-frame B, though they need not be all cast in one piece. The linings E E F are preferably formed with corrugations, as shown, for-the purpose of allowing the ashes to readily fall downward; also, to allow a better circulation of air upon the outside and to aid in throwing the coal or contents of the basket toward that portion of grate A which is adjacent to the hub-points.

G represents the sides and back frame.

II is a false front. The various parts of the frame-work are preferably made in sections and secured together in the usual manner.

In the false front H are placed openings opposite to the openings in the basket-front, and a slide-damper, I, operates to open or close the said openings in the front. The damper is held in place at its top by K and inwardlyprojecting part of the front H, and at its bottom by a part of the ledge f. In connection with the front H, the ledge or projecting partf is made beveling, as shown in Fig. 2, and cow veys the ashes and litter from the basket to the ash-pan beneath, and indicated by K.

Attached to the rear part of the grate A, at the point e, by a pivot is the rod d, which passes out under the grate A and through the false front H, as shown in Fig. 3, near the outside of the front H. Where the rod d passes through is placed a slide, N, through which the rod passes and by which it is supported in the front II. This slide N is made to move backward and forward in the recess shown in Fig. 3, and is intended to securely close the opening through the front and at the same time allow a lateral motion to be given to the rod (1 in shaking the grate A.

In order that the grate may be operated and revolved around the hub 0, two downwardlyprojecting fingers, h, Fig. 3, are formed upon the central bar of the grate, one upon each side ofthe bar (I.

Now it will be seen that the configuration of also bevels toward the inner end of the bars of the grate A, so that when the bar (1 is moved laterally, causing grate A to be revolved hack and forth upon the pin I) and resting on the bar (2 and ears 0 c, the inner bars of the grate passing near the hub G, the effect of this operation is not only to remove the ashes speedily from the mass in the basket and upon the grate, but to draw from the outside the particles of coal toward the central portion near thejunction of the bars of the grate with the points of the hub O, and that portion of the fire which is most easily extinguisliedis operated upon and drawn toward the center and kept in rapid ignition; but the clinkers and other hardened portions, which tend to. clog the ordinary grate, are projected against the 1 points and edges of the hub and effectually broken up and disi ntegratcd, and consequently fall to the aslrpan beneath. These features just named are in a marked degree peculiar to my invention.

'When it is necessary to dump the contents of the grate and basket, it is accomplished by pulling out the rod (6, which action of the rod will cause the grate-basket to turn upon the side pivots, a a, and the basket and grate are completely upset by the revolving motion, all below the pivotal bearings (t a, swinging within the radius of the front of the grate. The grate and basket are placed in their normal positions by simply pushing the bar 1.1 backward to its place.

I preferably place the false front II a short distance from the basket-frame, so that there is a slight opening between the basket and the front, as shown in Fig. 2. Of course when the grate is either shaken or dumped the damper I is closed, and by simplyplaeing an ordinary blower upon the top of the frame all litter, dust, ashes, or dirt are kept confined within the front. This peculiarity of my invention is also of great importance and utility.

The ash-pan K can be readily withdrawn by means of the handle and carried away by means of bail 0. I preferably place a little projection upon the inner side of the front H, upon which the bail 0 can rest, as represented in Fig. 3. The front H can be formed in any desired pattern as to style of ornamentation and of one or more parts, as desired; but the general form and arrangement of the parts for the best results, in combination with the other portions of the grate, should be arrangcdsubstantially as shown and described;

It will be observed that the grate A revolves substantially upon the central pivotal point, by which pivot the hub O and the basketframe are joined together. The hub O is of course stationary, and its corrugated points, terminating as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, make, in connection with the operation of the inner ends of the grate A, a most efficient crusher for elinkers, &c. If desired, the grate Amay be held in place by a circular rib underneath or by equivalent means instead ofbeing pivoted to hub O.

When the damper I is open, a full View of the fire in the grate through the openings in the front 'II and basket-front can be readily seen. As the element of cheerfulnessin a grate of this kind contributes to its market value, this feature is not to be overlooked. The damper can also be used to regulate the draft.

The back lining, F, preferably has openings between the corrugations n, as shown in Fig. 4-, corresponding to the openings through the basket front and sides, which permit a free draft of air to all the external parts of the fire and tend to promotea most thorough combustion. The ashes also readily pass downward from all parts of the grate, basket, sides, and back, as heretofore suggested. The line of draft-openings is shown by dotted line 2) in sectional elevation, Fig. 8.

The grate and hub, arranged in relation to each other substantially as described, may be used with an ordinary basket and with ordinary plain pcrpcndicular sides and back, with or without corrugations, and the hub may be formed independently of the basket-frame and still be within the'spirit of my invention. The front of the upper'surfaee of the grate may also be flat, but it will not work as efficiently as if made dishing; but the action of the ends of the grate,moved about the hub point-s,would still break up most of the clinkcrs.

Neither the form of the basket nor the upper side of the grate are essential tomy novel method of either shaking or dumping; but the forms hereinbcfore stated as preferred by me are the most efficient embodiment of my invention.

The opening between the inside of the front H and the basket, as shown in Fig. 2, enables the particles of coal dropping from the fire to fall upon the ledge f and to be conducted into the ash-pan without danger of being thrown upon the floor or carpet in front of the grate. Finally, I may say that by the invention here in set forth I cause great economy in fuel to be made on account of the peculiar action of the grate A in connection with the basket and sides, and a steady and thorough combustion in all parts of the grate and basket, united with safety and cleanliness, while permitting the cheerful rays from the fire to be seen through the openings in the basket and frame, and the operations of shaking and dumping are per formed with the greatest ease, safety, thoroughness, and neatness.

Having now described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. An organized fire-place grate consisting of the front II and frame G,with the back and end linings, F E E, in combination with the basket B, provided with the hub C and integral therewith, and the grate A, pivoted to the hub and adapted to be moved laterally around said hub,

the said basket and hub arranged and adapted to be dumped as one integral whole by means of a bar or lever suitably secured thereto, all substantially as and for the purposes described.

2. The combination, in a fire-place grate, of the basket 13, hub O, integral therewith, and

' the grate A, all arranged and adapted to operate substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. In a fire-place grate, a grate-basket and hub suitably secured thereto or integral therewith, said basket provided with pivotal journals upon each side and midway from the front to the rear, in combination with and pivoted to a circular and laterally-movable grate, with a bar or lever suitably secured thereto, and adapted by the action of said bar to be dumped as one integral whole, all substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

4. In a fire-place grate, a circular hub provided with corrugated beveled points integral with the basket-frame, combinedwith and pivoted to a circular grate,said grate being formed dishing and so arranged as to draw the contents of the basket toward the hub-points and the ends of the bars of the grate, and the hubpoints adapted to form and operateas a clinkercrusher when the grateis laterallyswung back and forth around the said hub from its pivotal connection by means of a bar suitably arranged and connected with said grate, substantially as specified and set forth.

5. In a fire-place grate, a basket journaled at its sides, and a grate placed within the baskets front and arranged to be dumped, in connection with said basket, by a revolving motion, the said grate turning within the radius of the baskets front, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

6. In afiregrate,theco1nbination of a basket, a hub, and a grate, suitably pivoted together at the back center of said grate, the grate adapted to be moved laterally about said hub, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof Ihave signed my name to this specification,in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, on this 17th day of February, A. D. 1887.

FREDERICK \V. MERRIAM.

Witnesses:

A. B. WRIGHT, DWIGHT WHITE. 

